Annual Preventive Visits & Physical Exams
A yearly wellness check-up focused on prevention, early detection, and keeping you on top of your health.
Annual preventive visits, commonly known as annual physical exams or wellness check-ups, focus on maintaining overall health, early detection of potential health issues, and preventive health measures. These visits are essential for proactive healthcare and help ensure you stay on top of your health.
At a Glance
Your Yearly Wellness Check-Up
Your annual preventive visit brings together a full health review, a physical exam, preventive labs and diagnostic testing, and age- and gender-appropriate screenings — giving you and your provider a complete picture of your health each year.
Once Per Year
Physical Exam
Preventive Labs
ECG & Spirometry
Cancer & Heart Screenings
What to Expect During Your Annual Preventive Visit
Each annual preventive visit is built around a thorough review of your health and the preventive care recommended for you:
Comprehensive Health Review
Your provider reviews your medical, surgical, family, and social history; updates your medications, allergies, and immunizations; and discusses lifestyle, diet, exercise, and preventive care recommendations.
Physical Examination
A general health assessment with vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate) and examination of the heart, lungs, abdomen, and other areas as needed.
Chronic Health Conditions Management
Existing chronic conditions are usually addressed during your visit, and medication refills are typically provided. Pertinent labs and testing are ordered in addition to your preventive labs.
New Symptoms or Acute Illness
If you have new symptoms or an acute illness at the time of your visit, these will be addressed. If you have a communicable illness, your visit may need to be rescheduled for everyone's safety.
Laboratory & Diagnostic Testing
Your preventive visit typically includes the following labs and in-office diagnostic tests:
Blood & Urine Tests
Complete Blood Count (CBC)Evaluates overall health and detects disorders such as anemia or infection.
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)Assesses kidney function, electrolyte levels, and blood sugar.
Liver Function Test (LFT)Evaluates the health of your liver.
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)Screens for diabetes or monitors blood sugar control.
Thyroid Function TestAssesses thyroid gland function.
Cholesterol PanelEvaluates risk for cardiovascular disease.
UrinalysisScreens for urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, or other metabolic conditions.
In-Office Diagnostic Testing
Electrocardiogram (ECG)Evaluates heart function and detects abnormalities.
SpirometryMeasures lung function by evaluating airflow and lung capacity.
Age & Gender-Appropriate Screenings
Based on your age, gender, and risk factors, your provider may recommend:
Cardiac Calcium Score TestEvaluates the risk of coronary artery disease by measuring the amount of calcium in the heart's arteries.
Mammogram ReferralFor breast cancer screening.
PSA TestFor prostate cancer screening.
Low-Dose CT ScanFor lung cancer screening (for smokers).
Referral to GastroenterologistFor colorectal cancer screening.
New Patient with Chronic Conditions?
Preventive visits cannot be scheduled solely to address acute problems or chronic disease management. If you are a new patient with chronic conditions, it is better to schedule an established primary care visit prior to your physical, so your ongoing conditions receive the dedicated attention they need.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
1
Fast (no food) for 8–12 hours before your visit. Water and your regular medications are allowed.
2
Arrive 15 minutes early with a valid photo ID and your insurance card.
3
Bring your current medications or an up-to-date medication list, along with any outside lab results or test reports since your last visit.
4
New patients: complete all new patient forms online at least 5 days before your appointment and make sure your previous medical records have been transferred.
What to Expect: Test Results & Follow-Up
Here's what happens after your annual preventive visit:
STEP 1
At Check-Out
Schedule Your Next Visits
Our staff will schedule any recommended follow-up visits or specialist referrals, along with your next annual preventive visit for the following year.
STEP 2
Within 7–10 Days
Results in Your Patient Portal
Your lab and diagnostic test results will be available in your secure patient portal within 7–10 days after your visit.
STEP 3
Within 3 Business Days of Results
Provider Review & Comments
Your provider will review and comment on your results within an additional 72 hours (3 business days). Any recommended follow-up visits or specialist referrals should be scheduled during check-out or shortly after your visit.
Ready to Schedule Your Annual Preventive Visit?
Book online or give us a call — annual physicals are generally scheduled in the morning to accommodate fasting.
Book Here via Healow— or call us directly —
Monday – Friday · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
💲 Insurance & Charges
Important Notice About Insurance and Charges
Typically $0
Annual Preventive Visits (preventive CPT codes) are typically covered by insurance at no charge. These codes are age-specific.
- Labs may not be covered at 100%. Labs ordered with or for preventive visits may not be paid in full by your insurance. Deductibles may apply to labs and diagnostic testing, even if no chronic condition or acute illness is addressed.
- Preventive visits are for prevention. They cannot be scheduled solely to address acute problems or chronic disease management.
For a full list of age-specific preventive CPT codes, please see the Preventive Visit CPT Codes section of our Insurance & Billing page.
Coverage varies by insurance plan. Please contact your insurance company to confirm your preventive care benefits, deductibles, and any lab or diagnostic testing coverage.